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Wider training for States Works staff

Wider training for States Works staff

Saturday 28 March 2020

Wider training for States Works staff

Saturday 28 March 2020


With States Works due to undertake significant change as part of the transformation of public services, employees will be trained to work across various different areas within the business.

The decision was made in light of an independent review, carried out by Red Quadrant, which focused on the scope for further staff flexibility.

Although this would involve additional training and support - with some extra qualifications needed - and the adaptation of roles, the report highlighted a number of benefits.

One of the main positives would be a greater ability to manage peaks and troughs in workload, leave and other absences.

There are currently about 230 staff working across the business' different services, which include sewage collection, stores, fleet and garage, engineering and highways services, land and waste management.

Paul Lickley general manager States Works

Pictured: Paul Lickley.

States Works also provides emergency response for key infrastructure.

"By the very nature of our business, we rely on the skills and commitment of our staff," said General Manager, Paul Lickley. "They have decades of experience, which they bring to work with them every day and that ensures the smooth delivery of many services the island relies upon. These services are delivered with a great deal of pride.

"Their commitment also enables us to respond quickly and efficiently to all kinds of routine and emergency situations, often in very difficult conditions, such as we have seen this year with the recent storms.Time and time again, that capability is put to the test and every time our staff rise to the challenge and deliver a positive outcome to islanders."

States Works mostly relies on manual labour, so staff training is vital.

"It is important that we support and develop staff, so we retain skills within the business and pass them to the next generation when colleagues retire or move on," added Mr Lickley. "That is true of our frontline staff, but also for those in office-based, support roles."

College of Further Education Delancey Campus

Pictured: States Works offers apprenticeships with the College of FE.

The business offers a range of formal apprenticeships in partnership with the Guernsey College of Further Education, and is looking to fast track these in the future by offering some of the practical learning elements in-house.

"Where possible we will look to increase the number of available apprenticeships to help address a growing skills shortage in the island."

States Works has a period of significant change ahead, with plans to adapt how the business operates, as well as its systems and processes.

"I have every confidence in our staff, that they will adapt and fully benefit from this process," said Mr Lickley.

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